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normal definition

nor·mal (nôrməl)

adjective

  1. conforming with or constituting an accepted standard, model, or pattern; esp., corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular
  2. Biol. occurring naturally normal immunity
  3. Chem.
    1. designating or of a salt formed by replacing all the replaceable hydrogen of an acid with a metal or metals
    2. designating or of a solution which contains an amount of the dissolved substance chemically equivalent to one gram atom of hydrogen per liter of solution
    3. designating or of a fatty hydrocarbon, the chain of which is continuous rather than branched, in which no carbon atom is united directly to more than two others
  4. Math. perpendicular; at right angles
  5. Med., Psychol.
    1. free from disease, disorder, or malformation; specif., average in intelligence or development
    2. mentally sound

Etymology: L normalis < norma, a rule: see norm

noun

  1. anything normal
  2. the usual state, amount, degree, etc.; esp., the median or average
  3. Math. a perpendicular; esp., a perpendicular to a line tangent to a curve, at its point of tangency

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
normal Synonyms

normal

modif.

  1. Usual

    ordinary, usual, standard, regular, typical, natural, average, common, run-of-the-mill; see also common 1, conventional 1, natural 2, traditional 2.

  2. Regular

    routine, orderly, methodical; see regular 3.

  3. Sane

    lucid, wholesome, right-minded; see rational, reasonable, sane 1.

  4. Showing no abnormal bodily condition

    in good health, whole, sound; see healthy 1.

normal implies conformity with the established norm or standard for its kind normal intelligence; regular implies conformity with the prescribed rule or accepted pattern for its kind the regular working day; typical applies to that which has the representative characteristics of its type or class a typical Southern town; natural implies behavior, operation, etc. that conforms with the nature or inherent character of the person, thing, or circumstances natural fears, a natural outcome; usual applies to that which conforms to the common or ordinary use or occurrence the usual price; average, in this connection, implies conformity with what is regarded as normal or ordinary the average man


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

normal Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: On awakening, he found that his hand was indeed perfectly normal.

Infinitive complement

  • feel: After giving birth it is normal to feel a mixture of emotions.

Modifies a noun

  • hour: The normal working hours were from 8am till 5:30pm with an hour break for lunch.

Used with adjective complement

  • appear: X rays, if taken, may appear normal.
normal usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

normal quotes

When I go to see Herr Hitler I give him the Nazi salute because that is the normal thing. It carries no hint of approval of anything he or hisregimemaydo. And, if Ido it, why should you or your team object?

-Henderson, Sir Nevile Meyrick

The normal economic system works itself.

-Salter, Sir (James) Arthur, 1st Baron Salter

normal quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"normal." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/normal>

APA Style

normal. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/normal

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